SLi Quality Assurance

Schneider Laboratories has developed a comprehensive quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) program
that includes internal and external evaluations to ensure the integrity of analyses. Our quality assurance coordinator operates independently of the laboratory sections and does not perform analysis on client samples assuring objective evaluation of analytical data.

An Internal Quality Control Program Assures Accuracy

Equipment Calibration & Verification
Equipment is calibrated and/or verified with manufacturer's or NIST-traceable standards for each set of samples.

Analysis of Known Standards
Quality control samples are run at standard intervals to assure stable calibration conditions.

Analysis of Blanks and Spikes
Matrix blanks and matrix blanks spiked with known concentrations of a target analyte are prepared and handled in the same manner as client samples to assure accuracy at every stage of sample testing.

An Internal Quality Control Program Assures Precision

Analysis of Duplicate Samples
Duplicate samples run at standard intervals measure precision, or reproducibility, of results.

An Internal Quality Control Program Assures
Qualified Laboratory Personnel

Analysis by Qualified Professionals
Our laboratory employs experienced laboratory professionals. Our staff receives training through both external and internal continuing education programs. In applicable areas, analysts are certified through EPA-sanctioned training courses. All analysts participate in national proficiency testing.

An Internal Quality Control Program Assures Accountability

Sample Tracking
Sample security and accountability are assured during each stage of sample processing. A chain of custody form accompanies submitted samples to document proper sample receipt and handling. Each sample is also assigned a unique laboratory sample number so that it can be identified and traced throughout the laboratory. Ample security and accountability is assured during each stage of sample processing.

An Internal Quality Control Program Assures Defensible Data

Documentation
Sound laboratory documentation assures analysis results traceable to valid calibrations, optimal instrument conditions, and appropriate reagents. Our chemistry reports include quality control data, so you can review this information alongside your sample results. Quality control is performed on asbestos samples within 24 hours of analysis, not days or weeks later!

An Internal Quality Control Program Assures Reliability

Proficiency Testing
Participation in nationally-recognized proficiency testing programs allows laboratory data to be evaluated against that of laboratories nationwide. External evaluations assure that results meet the expectations of industry standards.

An Internal Quality Control Program Estimates
Uncertainty of Laboratory Measurement

Uncertainty Estimations
are a tool to aid in the interpretation of analysis data.  Any analysis has an associated uncertainty.  This concept means that an analysis result is an estimation of the true value, and the techniques, methods, and technology involved in the analysis affect the ability of that result to approach the true value.  The laboratory can estimate the laboratory's contribution to uncertainty of the result by statistical evaluation of databases of laboratory control data for that analysis.  From this evaluation, some numeric estimations of uncertainty can be derived.  Note that all uncertainty estimations are, indeed, estimations and only describe a clean and homogenous matrix as found in the laboratory.  The greatest contributors to the uncertainty of the analysis are the sampling plan and method and sample representativeness, and these factors cannot be estimated by the laboratory. 

In keeping with requirements of ISO 17025 standards, uncertainty estimations are available upon request.  A Laboratory Estimation of Uncertainty Report is available for common analytes and is provided upon request to laboratory clients.